WebMD agrees with mom's logic - breakfast is the most important meal of the day, however many skip breakfast because they don't have enough time in the morning. Consider though that by eating a healthy breakfast you're setting yourself up to be more productive and full of energy throughout the day. By spending the time up front, you're creating more time for yourself down the road.

Others skip or skimp on breakfast as part of a diet routine, but research and studies show that it's almost entirely the opposite. Skipping a meal causes your body to try to conserve as much energy as possible. Your metabolism slows down and your system isn't working efficiently in the long run. Many myth bustingstudies show the problem with starvation diets and it's generally accepted that they aren't good for you.

We consulted with Sara McClean, RDLDN, and Jinee Burdg, RDLDN, dietitians at non-profit Moveable Feast which provides nutrition advice and delivers meals customized to the health requirements of homebound Marylanders living with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and other life-threatening conditions. They shed some light on the importance of breakfast, explaining that breakfast gives you energy to function throughout the day. "Choosing the right foods for energy is important" Jinee says, "many people will drink a lot of juice in the morning thinking that it's healthy when it's really full of sugar, which might give you a blip of energy but really causes you to crash the rest of the day." Protein and fiber are good for your body in the morning. Sara and Jinee suggest eating foods such as wholegrain cereal, oatmeal, fruits, or peanut butter on whole wheat toast.

"Consider if you skip breakfast you've often gone 15-16 hours without eating so you're really putting a strain on your body. It doesn't have to be 'breakfast' foods, you can eat anything. The foods we consider breakfast foods are all cultural as opposed to any biological reason. You should eat a balanced meal, no matter if it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner. - Sara McClean, RDLDN"

Those who feast on a simple coffee breakfast or knock back the black stuff all day have healthimplications to consider as well. While studies have shown coffee drinkers to be less likely to have diabetes, Parkinson's disease, dementia, strokes, and other diseases, many scientists argue about the real hard direct link with the association - correlation does not necessarily equal causation. Coffee is bad for those with stomach ulcers or acid reflux because it causes increased acid secretion, giving you a tummy ache. Pro-coffee drinkers argue that the antioxidants in coffee as well as magnesium and chromium help battle diseases. But it's not coffee alone that hurts you - consider the creamer and sugar you add in, as well as the effects of caffeine. Caffeine is a mildly addictive stimulant and once its effects wear off you'll be fatigued again early in the day. You'll also need to head to the bathroom a whole lot more because caffeine is a diuretic. Consider also if you're simply drinking coffee, then you're missing out on all the nutrients your body needs, particularly in the morning.

As with anything, moderation and balance are the key. So go ahead and eat your way to a healthier morning and get the right kind of energy to keep you going throughout the day. Share your morning breakfast menus and favorites as well as your what trusty gadgets and appliances help get your breakfast together in the morning. Coffee lovers, let us know what gets your morning brew going and what/how much you're drinking. Share with us what helps get your day started right!